On Monday night, the McCracken County Mustang baseball program honored its 15 seniors ahead of the contest against regional foe Marshall County at Edward Jones Field. The Mustangs defeated the Marshals with a 2-0 finish on a bittersweet emotional night.
“I can’t even put into words what this group of seniors has done for this program. There’s 15, they started with 25 when they were in seventh grade,” head coach Zach Hobbs said. “I coached them in seventh grade when they got into the middle school program and have watched them develop into the guys they are now, and they are great young men.”
The Mustangs honored seniors Caleb Ehling, Alex Calhoun, Ross Aldridge, Seth Harris, Tyler Chapman, Andrew Farmer, Jude Farley, Scout Moffatt, Eli James, Trace Cressler, Weston Miller, Casey Hawes, Griffin Cantrell, Miller Green, and Zander Smith.
Smith, who was dealt with a season-ending injury in November, faced the first batter in the top of the first inning, inducing a flyout from Clayton Wyatt. After facing Wyatt, Smith was greeted by his teammates and Coach Hobbs, embracing every one of them with a standing ovation from the Mustang faithful.
“They’re going to have such successful futures and are great baseball players. It’s cool to see them accept roles that support the team that might not be what they wanted,” Hobbs said. “They’re all together and want to win baseball games and be the best baseball team we can be. These guys will be successful in their lives, and I’m so proud of the team and the seniors. They’ll have a special place with me forever.”
Calhoun, Harris, and Aldridge appeared on the mound for McCracken County. Harris collected the win for the Mustangs by throwing two innings of work, striking out one, and walking one while giving up two hits. Aldridge collected the save, pitching two innings and striking out four of seven batters without giving up a hit or walk.
The four arms for McCracken County did not allow a single run, striking out seven and walking one while surrendering four hits.
Green led the Mustangs offensively, going 2-for-3 in the contest with a double. James, Hawes, and Miller each collected a hit.
The four hits for Marshall County came from Chase Shelton, Kannon Dunn, Reese Oakley, and Ty Swoope. Each Marshal collected a hit.
Marshall County loomed in the top of the fourth with one out. Oakley singled on a ground ball but was thrown out for a half-inning double play as Gavin Clark flew out to Miller in center field. Oakley was caught heading back to first base, unable to beat Miller’s throw from center to end the threat
The score remained zero until the bottom of the fourth inning when McCracken County struck with two outs. Hawes singled, advancing on the throw to second, allowing Green to plate the contest’s first run. The next batter, Miller, doubled to center field, allowing courtesy runner Joshua Penrod to plate the second run.
The two runs were enough for the Mustangs to win on senior night despite both teams having scoring opportunities in later innings.
Calhoun worked over two innings for McCracken County, allowing two hits while striking out two.
Thomas Bagby took the loss for Marshall County. He worked six innings, allowing five hits, two runs (earned), and striking out four of 24.
MCCRACKEN COUNTY 2, MARSHALL COUNTY 0
MAR 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0-4-1
MCC 0 0 0 2 0 0 X — 2-5-1
WP: S. Harris; LP: T. Bagby
2B: MCC — M. Green, W. Miller
TB: MAR — C. Shelton 1, K. Dunn 1, R. Oakley 1, T. Swoope 1; MCC — M. Green 3, W. Miller 2, C. Hawes 1, E. James 1
SB: MCC — C. Ehling, M. Green
E: MAR — C. Shelton; MCC — S. Moffatt
RECORDS: McCracken County (24-8); Marshall County (17-16)